Fort James Jackson · Photo: MArcin K. · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Savannah’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #249 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1,854 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Savannah’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Savannah faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Savannah’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Savannah, and Savannah’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #249 of 264 in Georgia; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Savannah’s residents live in 56 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Savannah has more expected damage per building than 94% of Georgia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Savannah has higher expected damage per building than 93% (#373 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $131M, is the 77th largest of those 400.
Does Savannah flood? Yes: 1,854 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Savannah, from FEMA’s records: 27.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew92 claims · $3.5M
- Hurricane Irma45 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Debby29 claims · $312K
Savannah is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chatham County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Savannah
Disasters that paid out in Savannah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Savannah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene28,955 households applied for aid$13.5M aid approved$3.5M to the City of Savannah for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $142K
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby3,362 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$90K to the City of Savannah for repairs29 flood claims paid for it, $312K
- 2017Hurricane Irma20,283 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$2.0M to the City of Savannah for repairs45 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew11,122 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$15.5M to the City of Savannah for repairs92 flood claims paid for it, $3.5M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$11K to the City of Savannah for repairs669 flood claims paid that year
Chatham County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Savannah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Savannah archive →Savannah and its neighbors
Savannah is 2nd of the 9 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | — |
| Savannah | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,854 |
| Georgetown | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 37 |
| Montgomery | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 70 |
| Garden City | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 55 |
| Pooler | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 67 |
| Bloomingdale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 22 |
| Thunderbolt | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 34 |
| Port Wentworth | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 40 |
| Vernonburg | — | 133 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Savannah faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Savannah residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Savannah
Is Savannah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Savannah has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #249 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Savannah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,854 claims in Savannah since 1979, $33.4M in all, or 27.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 240 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (92).
Is Savannah in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Chatham County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Savannah?
Savannah is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Savannah?
By FEMA money that reached Savannah, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 11,122 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $15.5M to the City of Savannah for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 92 paid, $3.5M.
Is Savannah at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Savannah’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Savannah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Savannah’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.